As the year winds down, it’s the perfect time to take a step back and evaluate your progress, check in with clients, review finances, and set new goals for the year ahead. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this end-of-year reflection can provide valuable insights to help you elevate your voice-over career in the coming months. Here’s how to wrap up the year on a productive note.
1. Check In with Clients
As the year comes to a close, it’s a good time to reconnect with those you’ve worked with. Sending a short, personalized message to express gratitude for their business over the past year can help strengthen your professional relationships and keep you top of mind for future projects.
This is an excellent opportunity to:
- Express appreciation for their trust in your work.
- Update them on your availability and any changes to your rates or services for the upcoming year.
- Suggest new services you could offer or ideas based on trends you’ve observed in the industry.
- Wish them a wonderful holiday season.
Don’t forget about past clients either! Even if you haven’t worked with them recently, a thoughtful message could re-open the door for future collaborations.
2. Review Your Finances
The end of the year is an excellent opportunity to do a comprehensive review of your financial health. Start by assessing your income and expenses:
- Income: Track how much you’ve earned over the year, broken down by project type, client, or platform. This will help you understand which revenue streams are most profitable and which ones may need more attention or adjustment.
- Expenses: Review your business expenses, including equipment, software, website maintenance, and marketing costs. If you haven’t already, now is a good time to start organizing your receipts and invoices for tax season.
- Savings: Consider your long-term financial goals as well. See where you can start setting aside some income for future savings.
Understanding where your money is coming from and going can help you make smarter decisions in the New Year and ensure that you’re on solid financial footing.
3. Set New Goals and Priorities
The end of the year is an ideal time to set goals for the upcoming months. Whether you’re looking to expand your client base, improve your vocal skills, or enhance your marketing efforts, goal-setting helps keep you focused and motivated. Here are some areas to consider when planning for the New Year:
- Skill Development: You may have identified areas for improvement in your voice-over abilities – whether it’s mastering a new accent, improving your delivery for specific genres (audiobooks, trailers, characters, etc), or refining your editing skills. Invest in training or workshops that can help you build your craft.
- Marketing and Branding: Think about how you can improve your visibility and attract more clients. This might mean updating your website, optimizing your social media profiles, or producing new demos that showcase your versatility. It could also involve expanding your network by attending industry events, joining new online platforms, or collaborating with other creatives.
- Expanding Your Niche: If you’ve mostly worked in one area (like eLearning or commercials), consider branching out into new niches. Diversifying your portfolio can help you reach new clients and increase revenue.
- Work-Life Balance: It can be easy to blur the lines between work and personal time. Set boundaries for your work hours and prioritize self-care. Consider adjusting your schedule to avoid burnout and give yourself regular breaks to recharge.
4. Reflect on Your Achievements
Don’t forget to take a moment to reflect on and celebrate all you’ve accomplished over the past year. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and overlook your successes, but acknowledging your progress can help boost your confidence and motivation. Whether it’s landing a big client, improving your voice-over skills, or achieving a financial milestone, celebrating your wins will give you the energy to push forward into the new year.
As the year comes to a close, wrapping up your voice-over business involves a mix of reflection, reassessment, and planning for the future. By being proactive now, you’ll ensure that your voice-over career continues to grow and thrive in the months ahead.
Check out our free PDF with pro tips from real working voice-over actors here!
Want to learn more about voiceover? Sign up for our introductory VO webinar.
